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St. James - Westwood Weekly Epistle
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Approaching the Last Sunday after the Epiphany
Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" -not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
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Shock and Awe were the terms strategists Harlan Ullman and James Wade used to define a military force's ability to rapidly dominate an adversary's will and perception to fight back or respond to the attacker's strategic policy ends. The goal in such militaristic endeavors is to use overwhelming power, possess keen battlefield awareness, perform dominant maneuvers, and accomplish spectacular displays of force to paralyze an adversary's perception of the battlefield and destroy its will to fight (National Defense University, 1996) Jesus' transfiguration immobilized Peter, James, and John. They were terrified, then speechless. An Epiphany happened right before their eyes and they were left dumbfounded. Perhaps they were afraid that people would think they were crazy if they shared what they had seen. Maybe they didn't believe they could handle such power in their lives. Maybe they wanted to stay right where they were, in the midst of unbelievable radiance. Let's build monuments to Christ's Glory. God's Shock and Awe had left them incapable of responding, proclaiming or retreating, then and there. 
What immobilizes, shocks and awes Jesus' followers today? Is it because we don't directly witness such transformational moments? Are we too afraid that Jesus' presence is over or underwhelming? Do our modern day sensibilities prevent us from observing Christ's epiphanies?
Mystical and militaristic forces can similarly paralyze us. However, the attention of a battleground army is to destroy enemies. God's intention in Jesus transfiguration is for us to behold the power of God to defeat death and reveal God's sacrificial yet powerful way of renewed life. Close, mystical encounters with God frequently happen in the biblical text and real life. They are not as readily apparent when Jesus dies on the cross or soldiers lie dead on today's battlefields. God nonetheless is very, very present. Shock and awe are replaced with hope and suffering. Jesus the Christ, is present, divinely and humanely in all of these circumstances. What is our response? Will we seek to build booths as Peter did or will we follow Jesus down the mountain and continue on toward Jerusalem as Peter and the others did as well.
Blessings Along The Way, Jim+
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Open Space & our Hallmarks of Health
St. James' vestry has begun a process of evaluating our church's "Hallmarks of Health." Their discernment and action will become the basis for opening up our series of Open Space Gatherings at our Annual Meeting on Feb. 17th. You are important; so join in the process to so that we will revitalize St. James in 2013
The Diocese of Southern Ohio's Mission Priorities are defined by
Five Hallmarks of Health. The fourth hallmark of health is
establishing programs and ministries leading to intentional faith development and formation for discipleship. St. James has a longstanding tradition of Education for Ministry (EFM) and sponsoring persons exploring vocations of ordained ministry. The diocese's Center for Formation provides resources and facilitators for a wide variety of initiatives and programs that
"form Christian disciples and strengthen the ministry of the all the baptized through prayerful discernment, education, training and engagement."
What has worked in the past @ St. James that's worth doing again? What activities does the diocese offer than people should become more involved in. How might we best use the educators, teachers, and facilitators among us to deepen our own faith as well as the faith of well-being of our neighbors?
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The Southern Ohio Lay Leadership Initiativ e (SOLLI) is a congregational leadership training program including:* Practices of prayer and Bible study
* Knowledge of the Anglican tradition and our place within it
* Knowledge of the people and programs of the diocese
* Deepening a commitment to peace and justice
* Engagement in interfaith and ecumenical relationships
* Training in group dynamics and process
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Transfiguring Light and Energy
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Passing Through Video by Olafar Harraldson
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Nikola Tesla wrote these words about the transformational power of light and energy: In no way can we get such an overwhelming idea of the grandeur of Nature than when we consider, that in accordance with the law of the conservation of energy, throughout the Infinite, the forces are in a perfect balance, and hence the energy of a single thought may determine the motion of a universe.Tesla provided this deep insight while giving a speech at the Franklin Institute, in 1893.How much more have we learned about quantum physics and cosmology in those last 119 years. How much less do we now recognize the mystical or miraculous moments occurring around us, scientifically or spiritually. Enjoy the video. Perhaps might be a bit shocked or find yourself in awe.
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What's Happening @ St. James
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Thursday - Feb. 7 @ 11:00 AM - Episcopal Church Woman's Meeting
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The Rev. Canon Jack Koepke
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Saturday - Feb. 9 @ 9:00 AM - Parish Breakfast and Work-Day. Let's clean up and open up the space downstairs for our upcoming "Open Space Meeting on Feb. 17th. Saturday - Feb. 9@ 11:00 AM Earl Oaks Funeral Service - Meyer & Geiser Funeral Home - contact the funeral home regarding visitation hours and other specifics regarding the arrangements.
Sunday - Feb. 10 @ 9:00 AM
Adult Education - Here are some meditations and questions we may begin to discuss. You can use this resource as a weekly devotional too Rite II Eucharist (Communion) @ 10:00 AM - The Rev Canon Jack Koepke preaching Children's Sunday School
Sunday Feb. 10 @ 11:15
Reception & Farewell for Eric Wilson
Vestry Conversation w/ Jack+ @ 11:45
Youth Group @ 5 PM
Next Week
Tuesday Feb. 12 - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Festivities  Wednesday Feb. 13 @ 12 Noon and 7 PM - Ash Wednesday w/ Imposition of Ashes.  | |
Soul Revolution by John Burke
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It's time for a Soul Revolution - Are you willing to accept the challenge?
Our longings. What shallow strategies do we use to get our deepest longings met? What are God's deepest longings for us
Learn more here and on Facebook - Sign up w/ Jim in you're interested in meeting at Refuge Coffee House with other people to participate in this personal renewal.  You can also sign up and/or support someone in our Lenten Mustache and Goatee Contest
(Here are The Rules!!! )
1.) Contestants will enter the contest on Shrove Tuesday by entering their name, a $10.00 entry fee, and the charity of their choice they are sponsoring with their facial hair.
2.) Contestants, Parishioners, friends, and family members may support themselves or other "entrants" by offering ($2.00 minimum) contributions throughout the Lenten period.
3.) Contestants may use hair trimming and shaping devices to groom their facial hair. All other types of hair and beautician care products are prohibited (highlighters, mascara, hair coloring, etc).
4.) The "winner" will be chosen by a panel of objective judges at the Easter Vigil. The "winner" will receive an award and the winner's charity will benefit from all of the entrant fee and other charitable donations collected throughout Lent.
5.) Fun is encouraged! Invite non-St. James people to join in the festivities as contestants or supporters, or both.
The judges' decision is final.
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